Focus on What Can Help You Send

Building Strength

Climbing at our limit presents us with a dilemma: Is it the sequence we find or the strength we need to develop that is holding us back from doing the climb? No matter the grade we are climbing, this unseen challenge is ever-present. Our initial goal is to get through our hardest climb by any means necessary. The interesting part is what we decide to do from here – do we see ourselves as trapped by this single solution and think we must become stronger to succeed?

Without creativity, jumping to this conclusion of increasing strength can lead to a frustrating, limiting and possibly injurious outcome. There are other options besides getting stronger. Strength is sometimes needed to makes gains but let’s avoid running to the hangboard before looking at creative strength as a valuable resource for the challenge.

Every route you climb is an opportunity to leverage creativity as your greatest tool. Use your size, f lexibility and skills. Creativity, singular focus and being critical all feel hard to see the benef its from for the first couple times you work with them. Keep at it and stay positive! These tools can be applied to life in general and improve with practice.